Man Pleads Not Guilty in Death of Twin Sisters

An 18-year-old man charged with killing his 15-year-old former girlfriend and her twin sister pleaded not guilty Tuesday.

Inglewood Municipal Judge Eudon Serrell ordered Richard Allen Washington III held without bail.

On July 8, the judge will set a date for the preliminary hearing.

Prosecutors will decide after the preliminary hearing whether to seek the death penalty or life in prison without parole if Washington is convicted, said Dist. Atty. spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons.

Tara and Terassa Butler, sophomores at Inglewood High School, were shot to death May 24 in their Inglewood home.

Washington, who used to date Tara Butler, surrendered to police last Wednesday.

Washington was charged last week with two counts of murder, with special circumstance allegations of multiple murder and use of a firearm.

Defense attorney Rayford Fountain said he has received only brief reports on the crimes his client is accused of committing, and needs more time to collect evidence from police and prosecutors.

Washington is also charged with two counts of assault with force likely to produce great bodily harm because he allegedly attacked the girls with a cast he wore on his arm during an altercation at a restaurant a few hours before the shooting.

The popular Inglewood High School sophomores were killed in their home in the 400 block of West Kelso Street.

Police found them shortly after neighbors reported gunfire at the house. Witnesses told police they saw the suspect leave the residence at about the same time.